Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-07-05
THE CELEBRATION.

The Fourth of July has come and gone.
1t has melted into the past, as have one
hundred and ten, preceding annivers-
aries of our Nations birth. In no place
in the Union, excepting Utah, was the
harmony of the occasion disturbed by
local pickering or political division
among the people. Federal and Con-
federate soldiers joined hands and We'd
with each other in doing honor to the
day and in rendering homage at the
shrine OF the radiant Goddess whose
altar is reared in every city,
tpwn and hamlet throughout the length
an breadth Of our united Nation. Re-
publicans, Democrats, Greenbackers,
Mugwumps, and all compilations and
shades of political faith mingled as
Americans. They ignored, for the day,
all minor differences, as unworthy of the
glorious occasion, which inspired in ev-
ery patriotic heart none out sentiments
of pure devotion to the spirit of Liberty,
unaIloyed by selfish partisanism or Sec
tional prejudice. No local questions mar
red the harmony of the day, and the
churlish spirit which would have
invoked such disturbing element,
would have been summarily squelched
by the overpoweung force Of National
unity and reverence for the signers OF that
immortal instrument which harbingered
the birth OF the greatest Republic and
Nation on the face OF the earth. In no
other place under the American flag
would such manifestation Of discord have
been possible, for nowhere else are the
people divided upon an issue which in
wolves a principle, essential to the exist
ence, or even the success, of the form
of Government under which we live.
In no other State or Territory could the
Fourth of July be made subservient to
any political purpose, nor could there be
even cause for suspicion that any consid
erable number of persons designed to so
prostitute the day Of National extolment
and exaltation. While there is certainly
reason to more than suspect the motives
which actuated the demonstration Of
patriotism by those who two years ago
half-masted our National flag on the
public buildings OF this city, it is crafty
ing to remember that the American peo-
pie are not simple enough to accept such |
flimsy proof as evidence OF sincere re-
pentance. The alleged penitents will |
have to prove by their acts during a
much longer term of probation, their de-
votion to the principles typifed by the
bunting so cOntemptuously treated before
its honor will be entrusted to their keep
iny. Any attempt to manufacture politi-
cal capital from this demonstration will
most assuredly prove failure, and no
fears need be entertained by the loyal
people upon that score. 1t is not our
province to criticize the course OF those
who refused to participate in the celebra-
tion because they doubted the good faith
of the element which, at the eleventh I
;pfgy f9aGss&Sa t9s i5SifhE 5tt ensT verv -
st adyaltaaHaHt. &c. The ! 5eaiiiif IL Gio stproceed
ings. The former evidently acted upon
their convictions of right, and if mistaken
are entitled to such credit as sincerity at
all times should receive. In our opinion
no Gentle compromised his patriotism
in the slightest degree because of Nor
mon participation in the celebration or
exercises of the day. If the latter were
sincere, so much the better. If they were
not, it was at least gratifying that
they realized the necessity of
an appearance OF respect for the flag,
which, two years ago, they foolishly sup
posed they could safely regard and treat
with contempt. At all events, no harm
can result to the loyal cause from their
demonstration, whether sincere or the